Anyone used the Zoom F8n Pro as an audio interface successfully?

Kneon

Kneon

New member
Besides being a solid standalone recorder, I was hoping to be able to use it as a spare audio interface.
For that, all goes well up to assigning the F8n Pro as an input in Logic. But as soon as I arm the F8n Pro's 'Mic In', Logic stutters and freezes if I try to play or record.

Any ideas what the issue might be from this or other hardware? Thanks!
 
I don't have the Pro. I used both my F8 and F8n as an interface, temporarily, for proof of concept with the first, and then the 2nd when I was between interfaces on a new Mac. I remember I wasn't happy about the lack of routing capabilities, but I didn't really investigate it - could have been laziness on my part! But, I don't recall it locking up. My personal assessment was that it was Ok "in a pinch" but that I couldn't really live with it as my recording interface. (I always loved these boxes for "field" recording though.)

First, I assume you've RTFM, of course. I didn't look to see how much info was in that, but that's the first place to go recheck. Then, Curtis Judd's YouTube channel may have some info on your model. (I watched a lot of his videos once upon a time.)

So, is your Mac overloaded with other background processes, or external devices that could be clogging things up? I can't quite understand why it would lock up on playback - you mean just playing a YouTube video, or what?

Again, no "Pro" so my experience is certainly not 100% aligned with your device and is a few years old, too... But, I'm looking at the menu on my F8n now, and wonder if you have it set for just the Audio Interface mode or Audio Interface with Rec one? Does your project sample rate and bit depth match the F8n's? Etc. You might need to check both the System Sound and the Audio MIDI Setup audio settings and get everything lined up with the F8n, too.

Also, not quite sure what "arm the F8n Pro's 'Mic In'" means - you just mean setting the track in Logic to record that is assigned to one of of the F8n Pro's inputs?
 
Thanks for your reply. I ended up returning it and going with a Livetrak L-12. Seemed more in my wheelhouse as a backup device that does other stuff too.
But just to answer some of your points:
-Turns out the freezing was the bad luck of a few cables that were defective, or just bad quality? Anyway I eventually got it working.
-Yeah, the manual is slim on info about this, more evidence this machine was not made for what I wanted.
-The "arm the F8n Pro's 'Mic In'" thing meant not only do you have to select Input in Logic, but also hit the 'Record ready' button for that track on the F8n Pro. When I was doing that is when the issues started. But a better quality USB cable fixed that. For the L12, they provide one, eliminating that possibility. They should do that for the F8n's too.
 
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